Monday, March 31, 2014

'Facts About The New Lagos State Smoking In Public Places Law'

Article sent in by Choices Nigeria.

There have been different views on the
recently passed smoking law since it was signed by the Lagos State Governor,
Babatunde Raji Fashola on 17th of February 2014.

We have now
obtained a copy of the law and are surprised to read that contrary to what
some people think, the law only becomes effective on the 17th
of August 2014, which is six months after the Governor signed. This means
that even the police that have been harassing smokers are not aware of
this. Incredibly, the law also allows for smoking in open places such as
on the streets, roads and highways as wells as in 10% of hotels, bars,
night clubs and tertiary institutions. It even goes further to state that
the law will be enforced by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency
(LASEPA), meanwhile all manner of people have been harassing smokers, even
LATSMA and Boys Scout.. Can our government ensure that the public are well
informed about laws they pass to prevent undue harassment of its citizens.